Cell sorter system and method

Abstract

Provided herein are improved cell sorter systems and methods. Such systems and methods provide a self-stabilizing sorter jet to automate calibration, and address the issue of drift in cell sorting systems. The systems and methods presented make it possible to determine and set the charge delay interval automatically with circuitry in the cell sorter. These circuits can set, monitor, and adjust the time delay continuously, allowing for a completely automatic, autonomous, turn-key, self-stabilizing sorter jet.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for calibrating a cell sorter system, the method comprising:
 (a) setting a drive frequency of a drop formation transducer; 
 (b) applying a flash charge to a fluid stream at the drive frequency; 
 (c) measuring a current at a receptacle receiving formed droplets from the fluid stream with a current detection circuit coupled to the receptacle; and 
 (d) identifying an optimal drive amplitude by varying the drive amplitude of the drop formation transducer until a maximum current is detected at the receptacle. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (e) identifying a second drive frequency by increasing the drive frequency of the drop formation transducer, while continuing to apply the flash charge at the drive frequency of step (a), until the current measured at the receptacle returns to the maximum current. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 calculating a drop delay based on the drive frequency identified in step (e) and the drive frequency of step (a). 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 maintaining the drive amplitude of the drop formation transducer constant at the optimal drive amplitude. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 deactivating a deflection plate prior to step (a). 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 electrically insulating the receptacle.